Step 5: Making adjustments to the flight of the plane

The purpose of this instructable is to teach you how to make the paper airplane pictured above unofficially named the "Howitzer". Paper airplanes are a fun, cheap and easy way to kill some time or entertain children. Its easy to make a game out of it and see who can make a plane that flies the farthest or stays up in the air the longest. Building the plane should take about 5 minutes. With a little practice you will be able to make this very unique looking plane and have it glide nicely.

Materials:

1 piece of 8.5 by 11 Paper

Space to throw the plane

Sizors (optional, the paper can be torn)

A hard surface to fold on (optional, just makes it easier)

WARNING: if using scissors be careful not to cut yourself and get parental supervision if necessary.

Step 1: Make the main structure of the plane

A. Fold the top right corner down and across to the left side of the page and crease the fold, then unfold the paper. To crease the fold you can run you fingernail along the edge while holding it against a hard flat surface.

B. Fold the top left corner in the same manner to the right side of the page and crease that fold then unfold the paper again

C. Turn the page over

D. Fold and crease the top of the page down across the middle of the x created by the first two folds

E. Unfold and turn the page back over

F. Bring the edges of the paper forward and together at the crease created by the previous fold and then fold down the top edge of the page to create a point at the top. Now you have the main structure of the plane completed.

This has been my favorite paper airplane design for 40-odd years. <br> <br>I've always cut two &quot;trim&quot; tabs in the back edge for tweaking the flight adjustment; will have to try the wing tip method. <br> <br>Nicely done!

Yes, this design can be modified to fly as a walkalong glider:<br>http://www.instructables.com/id/Indoor-Paper-Airplane-Walkalong-Glider/<br>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYwbVVCVyg0

people use it as an walkalong glider.

Nice touch using two different colors to distinguish each sides of the paper.